Evaluation Time

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I think Mario is closer to a 3-4 OLB than a DE. Most 3-4 DE are really just quick 4-3 DTs, think Gary Walker. As for DelJaun as a 3-4 NT, not really IMO. I look at most 3-4s and see the 320+ guys at NT. Guys like Okam.

Our LBs are all 4-3 types, way top small to play in the 3-4. Adibi is not bigger than most teams SS. The LBs in a 3-4 are prototypically the larger less athletic type LBs. BTW this draft as a lot of 3-4 OLB types in it. Also the 3-4 usually is not rookie friendly in the front 7, so drafting takes time and numbers.

You're right about Deljuan, I thought he was bigger than he is for some reason.

I couldn't disagree more about Mario though, how many 290lbs OLB are there? You want your 3-4 DE to do 2 things; (1) tie up blockers, (2) play the run. Mario does both of those things very well in addition to being able to beat that double teams, which would effectively give you an extra rusher on plays.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought you wanted your 3-4 OLB to be able to rush the passer. I was under the impression that's what their job was. That's why I think Adibi would be a good fit there. But, it is true that 3-4 OLB are DE/OLB tweeners, and that Adibi is not. So maybe he's not a good fit there. But, we do have guys like Nading and Thompson to fit that role and, like you said, this draft is very heavy in these tweeners.

Again, I think we have the personnel to run the system. We might be short on NT and LB, but that's the case in the 4-3 as it is. And if we bring in a good 3-4 coach I'm sure he could plug those holes fairly quickly.

I'd just hate to see us pass on a potentially great coach like Crennel or Mangini to settle on someone mediocre simply because we're afraid to change schemes.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

You're right about Deljuan, I thought he was bigger than he is for some reason.

I couldn't disagree more about Mario though, how many 290lbs OLB are there? You want your 3-4 DE to do 2 things; (1) tie up blockers, (2) play the run. Mario does both of those things very well in addition to being able to beat that double teams, which would effectively give you an extra rusher on plays.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought you wanted your 3-4 OLB to be able to rush the passer. I was under the impression that's what their job was. That's why I think Adibi would be a good fit there. But, it is true that 3-4 OLB are DE/OLB tweeners, and that Adibi is not. So maybe he's not a good fit there. But, we do have guys like Nading and Thompson to fit that role and, like you said, this draft is very heavy in these tweeners.

Again, I think we have the personnel to run the system. We might be short on NT and LB, but that's the case in the 4-3 as it is. And if we bring in a good 3-4 coach I'm sure he could plug those holes fairly quickly.

I'd just hate to see us pass on a potentially great coach like Crennel or Mangini to settle on someone mediocre simply because we're afraid to change schemes.

Just because Mario can do it does not mean it is how you want to use him. Peyton Manning CAN hand the ball off but I am not going to pay him 15 million a year to do that 50 times a game. Mario would be a wasted talent as a 3-4 End.

As for the LBs, average size for a 3-4 OLB is about 260. Adibi and Diles would have to attempt to move inside or be gone. We currently have nobody who would be a 3-4 OLB unless you go with Mario and then he has to play coverage sometimes. Not to mention that a giant NT may be piece #1 in the 3-4.

Our personnel is terrible for the switch. AND it won't happen.